Trillian

From WinCustomize Wiki

Trillian

Trillian is a skinnable multi-protocol IM client. Developer: Cerulean Studios Latest release: 3.1.6.0 / June 18, 2007 OS: Microsoft Windows Genre: OS Customization License: Shareware(Pro)/Freeware Website: Cerulean Studios

Trillian is a skinnable, multi-protocol instant messenger. It comes in two versions, Pro and Basic. The Basic version is free, and the Pro version is $25 USD. Trillian Astra has been announced by Cerulean Studios and is currently in alpha testing.^[1]

Contents 1 User Experience 1.1 What Trillian Does 1.2 How to Use Trillian 1.2.1 The Basics 2 Features 2.1 Multiple IM Clients 2.2 Skinnable 2.3 Plugins 3 History 4 Links 4.1 Downloads 4.2 Documentation & Help 5 References

User Experience

What Trillian Does

Trillian is a lightweight instant messenger that supports multiple IM clients. Trillian features a skinnable interface and allows for extensions of its features via plugins (although plugins are only available for subscribers to the Pro version). Trillian also features a detailed and searchable activity history, video/audio chat, and its own serverless IM client that can be used for LAN-only instant messaging. The program is also highly customizable, with a wide array of keyboard shortcuts and configurable options available to the user.^[2]

How to Use Trillian

The Basics

When you first start Trillian, it will ask you what IM Networks you want to connect to. Just make sure the checkboxes next to the services you want to connect to are checked. It will then ask for your usernames and passwords for each service. Once you are in Trillian, you can just double-click one of your online contacts to start chatting. Contacts from different IM services can be joined under one MetaContact, which helps to simplify your buddy list.^[3]

Features

Multiple IM Clients

Trillian by default can connect to AIM, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and IRC. Plugins are also available for several other services, such as Jabber/GoogleTalk and Xfire. Contacts are not bound by their IM service and can be freely organized. Several

Skinnable

Trillian has its own unique skinning system, called SkinXML, and the simplified Stixe.^[4]

There is no graphical interface to creating skins for Trillian yet. The best resource for learning how to skin Trillian is the Skinning Resource Center on the Trillian Discussion Forums. For users requesting a skin, updates to a skin, or checking out skins in development this thread will point you the right way.

Plugins

Trillian Pro can be extended by the use of plugins, which can add functionality ranging from a Winamp playlist interface, RSS feedreader, email notifiers, and much more. The Trillian Plugin API is used by developers to create plugins for Trillian Pro. The Trillian Discussion Forums has a list of Plugins Currently Being Developed and also has a thread for Plugin Requests.

History

Current Version: 3.1.7.0, July 19, 2007
For more history please visit Wikipedia's detailed history of Trillian.

Links

Downloads

• Download Trillian
• Download Skins for Trillian
• Download Plugins for Trillian PRO
• DeviantART Trillian 3.0 Skins Gallery

Documentation & Help

• Trillian Online User Manual
• Trillian Skinning Tutorials and more
• Skinning Resources Center
• Trillian Plugin API

References

1. ↑ http://www.trillianastra.com/
2. ↑ http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/features/
3. ↑ http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/features/
4. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trillian_(instant_messenger)#Skins_and_interfaces